Maimonides Among "Most Wired” Hospitals in Nation

The American Hospital Association Once Again Names Maimonides to its
Prestigious “Most Wired” and “Most Wireless” Lists for 2008

(August 2008;NEW YORK) - NEW YORK – Maimonides Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s 100 “Most Wired” hospitals and one of the 25 “Most Wireless” by Hospitals & Health Networks, a journal of the American Hospital Association (AHA). The Information Technology team at Maimonides has achieved these honors more often than any other hospital in New York City.

This year, only 19 hospitals in the nation appear on both lists which are based on the AHA’s Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study. The Study explores how well hospitals use information technology to address five principal categories: safety and quality, customer service, business processes, workforce, and public health and safety.

“We made a decision ten years ago to invest in information technology for its potential benefits,” noted Maimonides President and CEO Pamela S. Brier. “It is gratifying to know that our patients have benefited by that investment in countless ways.”

The “Most Wired” and “Most Wireless” designations reflect the Maimonides commitment to computer technology as a tool for improving patient care, enhancing efficiency, and reducing medical errors. This year’s Survey results found that Maimonides is a leader in implementing the use of electronic medical records and in utilizing computerized technologies.

“Our physicians and nurses are part of the team that designs and customizes our systems,” said Maimonides Chief Information Officer Walter Fahey. “This keeps patient care as the primary focus of our advanced technology.”

All clinicians order medication and lab tests, check lab results and track patient status by computer in the Emergency Room and inpatient units at Maimonides. And the systems provide vital information instantly to all patient care providers, whatever their location. At the same time, extensive safeguards are in place to guard the privacy of patient records. Only members of the patient care team can access medical records.

One measurable benefit of this system is the improved efficiency of pharmacy service, cutting the average turnaround time for administering medications by almost 66 percent, while safeguarding patients against prescription errors.

Maimonides was among the first medical centers to eliminate the use of radiological films. All radiology images are now digitized and can be accessed by medical staff throughout the facility, from private practice offices and even from the homes of physicians. Physicians in various locations can view the same images simultaneously and consult with each other on treatment options.

Maimonides Medical Center, a 705-bed facility serving the Greater New York metropolitan area, is among the largest independent teaching hospitals in the United States. In addition to “Most Wired” and “Most Wireless” honors, Maimonides has received numerous recognitions for excellence in IT, including: The Nicholas B. Davies Award for Improving Patient Care (Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society) and the Most Connected Award (Health Imaging Magazine).